A41329:134
The plea of the children of believing-parents for their interest in Abraham's covenant, their…
The plea of the children of believing-parents for their interest in Abraham's covenant, their right to church-member-ship with their parents, and consequently their title to baptism. The cause of publishing this discourse after so many learned men have laboured in this province, is declared in the preface to the reader. By Giles Firmin.
London: printed for Tho. Simons, 1683
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
I cannot think of any better reason than this, though there were Believers in Christ, and Abraham might be a stronger Believer, but with none did God make an express Covenant, a Believer and his Seed, and seal the Covenant to his Posterity, but with Abraham only.
I shall add a few more words presently.
3. This Covenant was made also with, and sealed to his Seed.
The great Question is, who are this Seed? my Author tells me, His Spiritual Seed: Whence I meet with this once and again, That Abraham's natural Seed was a Type of the spiritual Seed; Elect, Regenerate. Thus in answer to the question, Whether not baptizing Infants makes not the Privilege under the Gospel, less than under the Law? He answers, The natural Seed of Abraham was a typical shadowing thing— as the Antitype exceeds the Type, the spiritual birth the carnal birth; so much are we better.
The great Question is, who are this Seed? my Author tells me, His Spiritual Seed: Whence I meet with this once and again, That Abraham's natural Seed was a Type of the spiritual Seed; Elect, Regenerate. Thus in answer to the question, Whether not baptizing Infants makes not the Priviledge under the Gospel, less than under the Law? He answers, The natual Seed of Abraham was a typical shadowing thing— as the Antitype exceeds the Type, the spiritual birth the carnal birth; so much are we better.